Dialogue, dispute resolution, and talk‐in‐interaction: On empirical studies of ephemeral phenomena

Abstract

Although relational theories have gained increasing prominence in the field of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), further clarification of the actual communication that constitutes and contributes to a relational approach in the mediation and negotiation processes is still needed. This article begins by presenting a conception of dialogue as a relational practice. Ethnomethodological conversation analysis (CA) is introduced as a research method well suited to explicating practices of talk that contribute to or undermine relational interaction and dialogue in negotiation and conflict resolution contexts. We present two case studies of two parties negotiating a lease. Comparison of the two instances isolates practices that accomplish or move away from relational interaction and dialogue. This precedes a closing discussion of dialogic phenomena that could be mapped onto sequentially organized interactive practices, allowing them to be identified and studied in actual interactions. Such analysis offers valuable potential for understanding the actual discursive forms that contribute to relational approaches and dialogue and that help cultivate relational awareness and dialogic mindset in practice.

Beyond Instrumentalism: A Relational Approach to Negotiation

“…Researchers can also apply a relational lens as they explore the underlying assumptions made by and the actual approaches taken by negotiators. Recent work by Phillip Glenn and Ran Kuttner (), for example, has explored interesting ideas about how discourse can be analyzed to reveal underlying assumptions and to cultivate relational awareness. Experiments could also explore the role of relational self‐construal (cf., Cross, Bacon, and Morris ; Gelfand et al.…”

From Co‐existence to Shared Society: A Paradigm Shift in Intercommunity Peacebuilding Among Jews and Arabs in Israel

“…In addition, conversation analysis studies of Jewish–Arab dialogs can help identify barriers to cultivation of relational dynamics, using conversational analysis to examine relational moves in interaction (see Glenn & Kuttner, ). Research on different styles of facilitation, along the lines of similar scholarship in mediation (see, for example, Kressel & Wall, ), is also needed.…”

“…Similar to Buber's perspective and following a Wittgensteinian central premise, CA study focuses on how people interact rather than on what's going in their mind. For more on how ethnomethodological conversation analysis (CA) is explicating practices of talk using relational interaction as presented in this article, see Glenn and Kuttner ().…”

Establishing a “Community Forest”: Insights from the Collaborative Process in Migdal HaEmek, Israel

“…Quite a few of the classic articles from the general literature on participation or collaboration also influenced the structure of the Balfour Forest process to be described below. Carpini, Cook, and Jacobs () wrote an insightful article on public deliberation; Glenn and Kuttner () discussed roles of dialogue in facilitated processes; Reed () developed some environmental management typologies and best practices; Forester () wrote about negotiation strategies in land‐use regulations; Yaffee and Wondolleck () drew useful lessons from collaborative resource management experiences. Methodologies that were used in various meetings included nominal groups (Glass, ) and variations of Kevin Lynch's () cognitive mapping ideas.…”